Career Planning Newsletter For Traditional students, SAGE students, and Alumni

Issue 3 April 24, 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

“From Classroom to ?”… 1

What to Look for in a First Job… 2

What Employers Want… 3

Guest Writer: Natalia Martinez… 4

10-Step Plan to Career Change… 5

Playing Fair As a Job Seeker… 6

From Classroom to Question Mark What to Do if You Don’t Have a Job At

Graduation

Graduation is only a few weeks away, and it is overwhelming by itself. On top of that, you don’t have a job yet. You took the right steps, it’s not due to a lack of trying, things just have not gone your way. But just because they haven’t does not mean they won’t. If you don’t have a job at graduation, follow these three rules:

1. Enjoy graduation — You’ve worked hard to get to this point.

Take in this special experience and enjoy it. You’ve earned it. But

realize that when the dust settles, it’s time to get right back to your

job search.

2. Don’t panic — Panicking would only take away from the focus

you need to find employment. Remain cool and stay positive. Don’t

think about the job-search negatives you may have experienced;

keep moving forward.

3. Keep trying — Don’t hit the “reset” button and start your job

search anew. Keep in contact with the Career Planning Center and key faculty with whom you’ve developed relationships for leads and information. Research employers you would like to work for and stay on top of the news in their industries. And keep working your network.

For the full article, visit bit.ly/ClassroomtoQuestion

Nearing The End... Don’t Fear It! Congrats to the Class of 2012!

“Stay positive. Be active. Don’t just

sit at home in front of the computer.”

Finding a job can be a difficult

task—but you can do it.

Career Planning Newsletter Page 2

What to Look for in a First Job Already have a job lined up to start after

graduation? If yes, congratulations! If this

is your first foray into the professional

world, think about these four food-for-

thought questions.

1. Where Else Could It Lead? Your first job will likely be an important stepping

stone in your career. So, you want to make sure that

it can lead to more—and greater opportunities in the

future.

Does the company you have your eye on offer a clear-

cut career path for employees to advance inter-

nally? As you’re interviewing, ask questions about how project assignments are determined and ways that

you’ll be able to gain more responsibility once you’re there.

2. Will it Make Me More Marketable? If you know that you want to be in a certain industry or functional area, but you haven’t settled on a specific

role, look for positions that allow you to build transferable skills.

For example, you may not want to work with databases long-term, but taking a role where you learn

about different software packages, methodologies, and data mining can make you an excellent candidate for

any future job that will require number-crunching and technical savvy.

3. Will it Make Me Well-Rounded? The best way to build transferable skills is to be involved in different types of pro-

jects. It’s a great way to gain insight into roles you may not have otherwise hap-

pened upon, and at the same time gather brilliant experience and the ability to tell

future potential employers “been there, done that!” So, look for positions that allow

you to work with different functional areas and take projects that might be out of

your comfort zone.

4. Who Will I Learn From? You won’t know everything when you first start your career, and that’s okay. Your

first job is supposed to be a learning experience—so look for a company that encour-

ages the more seasoned employees to mentor and train newbies. Ask about opportu-

nities to meet with other members of the organization, especially women who are a

few levels above your current position (those are the brains you want to pick!).

Finding your first gig is a thrilling and nerve-wracking time. Hey, we know it’s

overwhelming! But with these helpful hints, you’ll be well on your way to a great

career.

For the full article, visit: bit.ly/dailymuse-firstjob

CAREER PLANNING NEWSLETTER

CREATED BY: Samantha Makey ‘12 Stephanie Weisel ‘13

EDITED BY: Danielle Ortiz

Published by the Career Planning Center.

Comments & suggestions are welcome. Please contact the Career Planning Center at 610.606.4648 or by email at career@cedarcrest.edu.

Career Planning Newsletter Page 3

What Employers Want:

The Perfect Candidate What do employers want in their new employees?

The job description will tell you what qualifications that employer is requiring, but there is an-

other list of “abilities, qualities, attributes, and ‘soft’ skills that they also seek in their new

hires.”

Source: Job Outlook 2011, National Association of Colleges and Employers

Top Jobs in Your Major Business Majors

Financial/Treasury Analysis

Sales

Consulting

Accounting (Private & Public)

Management Trainee

Computer Science Majors Software Design &

Development

Computer Programming

Consulting

Healthcare Majors Registered Nurse

Management Trainee

(Entry-Level Mgmt.)

Research (Technical/Scientific)

Humanities/Liberal Arts Majors Teaching

Sales

Social Science Majors Teaching

Sales

Law Enforcement

Social Work

Sciences Majors Research (Technical/Scientific)

Consulting

Actuarial

Teaching

Source: Summer 2011 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers. Data job categories most often reported

as offered to bachelor's degree level graduates.

Verbal communication skills

A strong work ethic

Teamwork skills

Analytical skills

Initiative

Problem-solving skills

Written communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility and adaptability

Detail-oriented

Relevant work experience

(through an internship or

co-op assignment)

Career Planning Newsletter Page 4

Guest Writer: Natalia De Jesus Martinez-Colon Natalia writes about her experience at two Career Planning sponsored events

Career Week / Women in Business Panel

There are many times we hear that women are success-

ful in their careers, but one thing I will tell you seeing

is believing. For their third event in the Career Week

Series, held on March 21st 2012 Career Planning

brought to our CCC campus the Women in Business

Panel. Panelists included Audra J. Kahr, Chief Finan-

cial Officer at Cedar Crest College, Krista Benkovic,

Project Director-Customer Process at D&B, and Jess

Dominiczak, Clinical Studies Designer at Thermo

Fisher Scientific. It made for an interesting panel as

they each represented different stages of their careers.

Jess is a recent 2008 CCC graduate, Audra has reached

the peak of her career with her position at Cedar Crest

College and Krista is still looking for more ways to

continue growing after being in the workforce for 10

years. Even though it was a business panel, other ma-

jors where also represented such as Nursing, Commu-

nications, and New Media. These Women offered a

look into the biggest fear of graduating college, not

knowing what to do next. Not all of these women knew

exactly what their goal was when they graduated, they

just let life take its course and followed their passions.

When asked what advice they would give the students

these where their top three:

Prove people wrong; put your mind to some-

thing and you will achieve it.

Don't let yourself fall short of your goals

Find a mentor; have a support group.

And last but not least, write things down, so you

never forget your ideas.

With that the speakers provided their final remarks, and

the raffle of an $100 Macy's card began; somebody was

going to be a lucky student, and that was Solinah “Rae”

who said she was going to use it towards the cutest

shoes for her business attire! Everyone was inspired by

seeing and understanding that if they stayed focused,

they could also succeed in life.

Etiquette Dinner

Most interviews today take place

in a public environment, in which

case business etiquette becomes

important. In the effort of prepar-

ing our students for these situa-

tions, the Career Planning Center

hosted an etiquette dinner event

on March 28, 2012. The Blaney

Hall Lobby was the venue for this

amazing experience. To teach us about these key skills

we had the pleasure of having Kerri Gardi, Director of

the Career Planning Center at Kutztown University, to

indulge us in a crash course on good business etiquette.

Over the stretch of a four-course meal provided by

Parkhurst, Ms. Gardi spoke about things that to some of

us might have been common sense. For example, pass-

ing the water pitcher with the handle in the direction of

the person who is receiving it, we all knew that right?

Other things, such as the issue with bread surprised

many people in attendance. Usually when we go out to

eat and get bread, we slice it in half, spread the butter

and then it is ready to go isn’t it? Wrong! In a business

setting you are supposed to tear the bread in pieces, and

spread the butter individually as you eat it! This fact

almost broke my heart. To this comment Ms. Gardi re-

sponded “if you think about it, it’s better, because it

lasts you longer.” My first thought was she could not

have said it better!

Other new found discoveries:

Folding the napkin in half and then a one inch fold

[to blot away food around your mouth]

Pitcher is grabbed by whoever is sitting in front of

it and passed around the table counter-clockwise

No switching of utensils while you eat

Overall it was an eye opening experience, about how

job searching is evolving and students need to keep up

to date on the skills they will have to acquire in order to

be able to land their dream job. Today the job market is

not about just your resume, but based on what you can

bring to the table.

The Career Planning Center is now on Tumblr! careeratccc.tumblr.com

Career Planning Newsletter Page 5

The 10-Step Plan to Career Change How does it happen? Perhaps you just begin to lose

interest. Perhaps you find something that interests you

more. Perhaps your company is downsizing. These are

just some of the numerous reasons people find them-

selves on that precipitous cliff looking back on their

career just as the dirt begins to crumble beneath them.

Take it slowly and make sure what you really want to

do is change careers. Then use this 10-step plan, and

you will be on much more sure footing -- and on a path

toward career change success.

Step 1: Assessment of Likes and Dislikes Are you changing careers because you dislike your cur-

rent job? What excites you and energizes you? What's

your passion? Consider taking a self assessment to

rediscover yourself.

Step 2: Researching New Careers Once you've discovered (or rediscovered) your passion,

spend some time researching the types of careers that

center around your passions. Check out the Career

Planning Center’s list of career exploration tools.

Step 3: Transferable Skills Leverage some of your current skills and experiences

to your new career. There are many skills (such as

communications, leadership, planning, and others) that

are transferable and applicable to what you want to do

in your new career.

Step 4: Training and Education You may find it necessary to update your skills and

broaden your knowledge. Take it slowly. If the skill

you need to learn is one you could use in your current

job, see if your current employer would be willing to

pick up the tab.

Step 5: Networking People in your network may be able to give you job

leads, offer you advice and information about a particu-

lar company or industry, and introduce you to others so

that you can expand your network.

Summer Hours

The Career Planning Center is open all

summer!

Call, email or fill out an appointment request

form to set up an appointment.

Office Hours: 8:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Evening appointments available upon request.

Phone: 610-606-4648

Email: career@cedarcrest.edu

Appt request form: bit.ly/cpcappt

Note: The College will be closed on Fridays in July.

Step 6: Gaining Experience Obtaining a part-time job or volunteering in your new

career field not only can solidify your decision, but

give you much needed experience in your new career.

Step 7: Find a Mentor Find a mentor who can help you through the rough

patches. Your mentor may also be able to help you by

taking advantage of his or her network.

Step 8: Changing In or Out Some people change careers, but never change employ-

ers. It's more than likely that you will need to switch

employers to change fields, but don't overlook your

current employer.

Step 9: Job-Hunting Basics If it's been a while since you've had to use your job-

hunting tools and skills, now is the time for a refresher

course.

Step 10: Be Flexible You'll need to be flexible about nearly everything -

from your employment status to relocation and salary.

Set positive goals for yourself, but expect setbacks and

change - and don't let these things get you down.

For the full article, visit: bit.ly/quaint-careerchange

Career Planning Newsletter Page 6

Playing Fair:

Your Rights & Responsibilities As a Job Seeker

1. Confidentiality. The Career Planning Center’s staff

are expected to maintain the confidentiality of student

information.

2. Freedom of choice. No biases will be put into

YOUR decision.

3. Access to all services and events. We have flyers

and information posted all around campus.

4. Access to career information. Check out our

resources on our website!

5. Testing information. Staff can inform you of avail-

able tests, purpose, location, and policies.

1. Confidentiality. Employers shouldn’t disclose information about you without your written per-mission. 2. Accurate information about what is expected of you and their employment opportunities. 3. Freedom from undue pressure. It is improper for employers to pressure you to revoke your accep-tance of another job offer. 4. Timely communication. Employers are expected to inform you of your status in the hiring process. 5. Fair treatment. If an employer has to change the conditions of your job, you are entitled to know. 6. Testing information. Employers should inform you in advance of any necessary assessments. 7. Nondiscrimination. Equal opportunity and af-firmative action principles. For the full article, visit: bit.ly/jobchoices-playingfair

What you can expect from the

Career Planning Center

What you can expect from

employers

What’s your part in this?

1. Provide accurate information about your academic

work and records, including courses taken, grades,

positions held, and duties performed.

2. Be honest. Do not lie or stretch the truth on your

resume or applications, or during any part of the

interview process.

3. Interview genuinely. Interview only with employers

you’re sincerely interested in working for and whose

eligibility requirements you meet.

4. Adhere to schedules. Appear for all interviews, on

campus and elsewhere, unless unforeseeable events

prevent you from doing so.

5. Don’t keep employers hanging. Communicate your

acceptance or refusal of a job offer to employers as

promptly as possible.

6. Accept a job offer in good faith. When you accept

an offer, you should have every intention of honoring

that commitment.

7. Withdraw from recruiting when your job search is

completed.